My life right now.

Thinking this needs to be my next project. I was thinking I needed more junk and more noise added to the house. We all know that it won't ever get done. I can dream, right?

So in love with little Poppy. This kitty deserves sainthood for putting up with all the kids. Olivia mauls and hauls her around. I
love to lay on the couch when everyone is gone and have Poppy lay on me. The sound of her purring just lulls my right to sleep. OK, so it's not the purring but the shear exhaustion I feel 24/7. But still I love it.

My ladies are doing a great job giving us eggs and keeping the kids entertained. Who knew chickens could be so much fun?

16 years ago today I gave birth to my first child Logan. I can't wrap my mind and heart around this. I was only 18 when I had my engagement pictures done. I was 16 when I started dating Troy. Now I have a 16 year old. Troy and I celebrated our 17th anniversary August 13th. Where has the time gone? I want it all to slow down.

I need Michael to come back to town so he could sing to me. I guess a CD will have to do for now.

I'm in need of some time on the couch watching Mr. Darcy.....again.

Soooooo needing fall to be here with all my favorite colors.
I need to be able to wear cardigans like I need to breath. Boots?
I think I need to start wearing them even though it's still warm.

This is what my dreams are about. I've gone through my picture files and I have like 30 pictures of bathtubs. So funny because I have the smallest bathrooms in the world.

My life has been hectic and crazy with husband traveling and kids in school. Logan is driving which helps me out a lot and also gives me an ulcer. I am feeling a little lost with all my kids in school. I have so much to do and so much to catch up on, but I just can't seem to get "into" it. I find myself wandering around the house looking at all the cleaning, projects, repairs and even my crafts that need done. Then I go lay on the couch, turn on Michael Buble and snuggle with Poppy.

I know I just need to get into a routine and get used to this new stage in my life. I am such a lucky Mom to have such a wonderful and caring family.

The glass is half full.

First day of School for Anna.

First day of 8th grade for Anna. She has gotten so tall over the summer, she is almost caught up to me. Yikes. A few days ago I took her to get her hair cut. She wanted it short, so here it is.

I think she looks like the teenager she is.
Have a great year Anna! Love you.

Children = Energy

All these shots were taken before Pam's Funeral. We had gotten there early and needed to get some energy out of the little ones before they had to sit still for a while. There was a little park across the street from the funeral home that we took them to. I made Reece (Barb's son) and Soren do races back and forth.

It was an absolute miracle not one of my children fell into the fountain they had there.

Any of you that really know us realize that it is REALLY miraculous that they stayed dry.

Silly Boys.

Troy's nephew got us started on a new thing called "Forever 21" This is a spoof on the Forever 21 manikins at the mall. When someone says "Forever 21" you go into a pose that the manikins would be in. I know it's corny, but so much fun.

Just thought we would snap a few shots of our family while we were there.

Seriously Soren?

I think I have such a beautiful family. Don't you agree?

The kids did well during the service for Pam. It was nice to hear about her life and see all the gorgeous pictures of her and Max. As I say there and watched the film at the end of the service I was thinking how in love Pam and Max were. I am so lucky to have such a love in my life. I couldn't ask for a better man than Troy.

Idaho.

This past week Troy's Aunt Pam passed away. She died of cancer after a long struggle with it. We were all very saddened to lose her at such a young age. Although she was in her 50's she was a lot younger in spirit. Troy and I took the kids up to Idaho for her service. Idaho is where my heart will always be. To me there is no where as beautiful as Idaho.

Daddy with tow of his little girls walking down Grandma Rosie's lane.

Giving the horses a scratch behind the ears.

I love all the weathered old building all over the place.

The fields of produce and hay being grown. The smell is incredible. Earthy and natural. I miss having clean simple air to breath.

This smell is the best. Fresh cut alfalfa.

The snake river.

We took the kids over the park before the funeral to get some of their energy out of them. While there we decided to snap a few shot of the family.

Seriously boys?

Soren and his cousin Reece had a great ol' time messing around. I will be posting some pictures later of these two playing around. So fun!

Troy with his two uncles Bill and Dick. Major crush on the one with the yummy mustache. Why can't you grow one like that Honey? You do know how much I love you Honey Lover?

Pam's siblings and Mother. Dick is in the blue shirt then Peggie, Pattie, Bill, Barbie in the front and then Grandma Ramsey.

It was wonderful to see everyone. I wish it would of been under different circumstances. Everyone missed having Pam there. Max, Pam's husband was very brave through the whole thing. So amazing and hard to watch. I wish the best for Max and his future.

Clean of dust and ash, for a moment anyway.

My house is clean for a moment in time.

I needed to get a photo of it so when there is 12 piles of clean laundry on the couch, kids pillows, blankets, popcorn and 2 inches of dog hair I can go look at what my house is like clean.

We have been getting all the smoke and ash from the Arizona fires. The family room needed a thorough dusting. I have to dust all the time anyway because of the lovely New Mexico desert.

My collection of "White" stuff as my husband puts it.

Oh great, more white stuff.

I hate it when he says that.

I have tried to do a gallery affect with all my pictures. I love the look of it.

Some people don't.

I also have a lot of bird stuff in the house.

Love, love, love my birds.

So on the days that I am totally overwhelmed by the chaos, noise, bad smell children seem to make, dirt and dust I will come and sit in front of my computer and be given a little sense of peace.

The knowledge that my house CAN be clean.

Every one in a while.

BTW, I painted the side table and the coffee table.

It's all happening so fast.

Olivia graduated from Shinning Stars preschool. This next school year she will be in Kindergarten.

Where has the time gone?

She is my last child at home.

What am I going to do with myself next year?

I am sure I will get over the trauma. In the mean time my baby is growing up, making friends and learning everything that comes her way.

Here she is after graduation with her good friend Katie. I love watching and listing to these two little blond girls play.

They had a "bridge crossing" ceremony. She hurried right over it because her very loud Father and older brother were hooting and hollering for her. Poor little Miss Muffets ears were all red.
Sidetrack- The beautiful Miss Rebecka in the blue and floral floor length dress with the magenta sweater on was Logan's kindergarten teacher. I was so happy that Olivia had her as a next door teacher this last year.

The kids had all worked on songs for the ceremony. Loved it.

Look how big my baby is.

I can't stand it.

Miss Renea and Olivia. (up)

She was the student teacher. Renea is currently going to school to become a teacher.

China and Olivia. (below)

China is going to be getting married next month and I can't wait for her to become a mother.

She is absolutely amazing with children.

We were extremely blessed to have Olivia in the preschool program this last year. As being the baby of 5 kids, the school taught her patience and sharing. They helped her threw her swallowing problems. She has really blossomed this year.

Am I going to be able to handle when she starts school in August?

We'll see!